AWS commits $10 million to county CTE school as part of planned
$6 billion investment bringing more than 100 jobs
KING GEORGE COUNTY, VA, September 29, 2026— The King George County Board of Supervisors and Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com, Inc. company, reached a mutual agreement regarding AWS’s planned $6 billion investment to establish a data center campus in King George’s Route 3 (Kings Highway) west settlement area. With this agreement, the county recognizes AWS has vested rights to repurpose the former property of Birchwood Power Facility, a coal power plant, and to develop other nearby industrial-zoned properties owned by the company. However, AWS made a binding commitment to not construct data center buildings on land adjacent to the Rappahannock River.
“The board understands its responsibility to facilitate smart economic development on behalf of the community. Attracting a low-impact, high-capital investment development like data centers to a nature-focused locality requires careful consideration of business needs and the community quality of life that our residents deserve. Through many discussions, we can confidently say that AWS understands the county’s stance on sustainable growth, and the county’s expectation that AWS will act as a community partner. We look forward to continued collaboration with AWS as it navigates next steps,” said King George County Board of Supervisors Chair David Sullins, At-Large District.
Many economic development projects result in enhancements to core local services, programs, and infrastructure. AWS has met this expectation as it announces a pledge to the community with a $10 million contribution to the new King George County Career and Technical Education (CTE) School.
“We’ve listened to the King George community, and we are glad to be moving forward in a way that meets the community’s priorities. We are committed to being a good neighbor and a careful steward of the community and environment in communities where we hope to operate.” said Roger Wehner, AWS Vice President of Economic Development.
“Our community will benefit from the revenue support this development will bring to the county. Notably, AWS’s recent financial commitment to the CTE school will not only positively impact our youth through technical education that will prepare them for their future careers but will also have a trickle effect to our local economy as more students enter the workforce readied with essential skills,” said King George County Administrator and Economic Development Director Matthew Smolnik.
AWS Project
The planned AWS data center campus will position AWS as one of the largest private-sector employers in King George County and is expected to create more than 100 new jobs. These data centers will support computer servers, networking equipment and AWS technology, which power digital services that communities depend on every day, including national security, emergency response, hospitals, schools, and the ability of families and businesses to stay connected. The increased tax base from this planned investment is expected to support county schools, essential services like public safety, and infrastructure investments such as parks and utilities.
About King George County
King George County is approximately an hour drive from both Northern Virginia and Richmond and is situated between the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers. With miles of river shoreline, acres of natural beauty, rich culture, and historic wealth, King George County is called “home between the rivers” by over 26,000 residents.
The county is comprised of approximately 188 square miles and is a transitioning rural county steeped in history that places a high priority on quality of life through the protection of natural, cultural, and historical resources, as well as being a regional leader in proactive and progressive planning, development, and government services.
The county’s largest economic activity centers around the defense industry, as King George is the home to the Navy’s largest research and development base—Naval Support Facility Dahlgren. King George County also benefits from robust manufacturing, defense contracting, and specialized agriculture economy.